Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 27, 1994 TAG: 9403310003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB FETZER and EARLE SHUMATE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Unfortunately, our late start and the community's lack of support for growth have put our region at a distinct disadvantage and have forced us to constantly play catch-up. Therein lies the peril.
Many Roanokers dislike the idea of growth because they recognize that the valley is a beautiful place to live, with a unique character and quality of life that would be destroyed by urban sprawl and uncontrolled development. They resist any change that might threaten this peaceful existence. Preservation of our environment has made us a blank canvas ready for controlled growth. Therein lies the promise.
It is not too late to develop a vision for the Roanoke Valley which will allow us to preserve those features that make our region unique and attractive, and yet provide for the industrial growth we need to remain economically viable and ensure that we and our children have good jobs and fulfilling lives.
Perhaps we have simply been approaching it from the wrong perspective. Since many Roanokers still feel that our ideal future lies in keeping Roanoke just the way it is, let us become professionals at preserving our environment. After all, it is our most valuable resource. We can become America's ``greenest'' and most environment-friendly city. This plan would promote a kind of growth that will not destroy the things we cherish most.
While our economic-development plan should continue to include the wooing of established industries from other locations, we must face reality. Fewer and fewer manufacturing jobs are going to be available. We are no longer just competing with other cities, but with other countries as well.
Our location in the mountains makes heavy industry undesirable anyway, as it harms our natural environment. The successes of many of our rivals have occurred because they took fledgling industries and grew them into economic powerhouses. To be successful in the next 20 years, Roanoke must attract industries that can grow and that complement our existing situation.
``Green'' industries mesh well with these conditions. As the nation's concern grows more concerned about preserving its dwindling natural resources, so will the desire grow for products that do not damage the environment. More and more, people will look for building products, textiles, energy sources and forms of transportation that will keep the Earth healthy. Supporting and attracting these industries now will ensure sustained growth into the next century.
Developing an efficient transportation network will allow us to distribute our ``green'' products quickly and economically. With Virginia and North Carolina producing most of America's furniture, for example, better ties to markets will enhance our position in research and development of ``green'' home products. Research into better, more environment-friendly transportation systems, including bullet trains, magnetic levitation and alternative fuel sources would be excellent starting points for new industries.
Linking Virginia Tech, one of the nation's leading research universities, to Roanoke is therefore imperative. Students and the exchange of ideas provide energy and diversity to the urban mix. Unfortunately, state funding for higher education is at an all-time low, and colleges are expected to pay most of their way through research grants and partnerships with business.
A Roanoke-Tech research center would have to rely not only on training executives but also on producing results that directly benefit industry. Tech's study of ``smart'' highway technology is already well-known nationwide. Expansion of research into clean energy sources, safer building materials and better recycling methods would help attract industries eager to satisfy America's new-found appetite for environment-friendly products.
Quality primary and secondary education are keys to future success as well. Our curriculums must be designed around the skills that our new green industries need. If we want our children to stay in the valley, we must be able to assure them that there will be a variety of interesting, well-paying and productive jobs available when they complete their educations.
We will train them to take on roles in environmental science, forestry, agriculture and other green industries. In order to build a strong industrial base, we must establish a strong vocational-training program and impart a sense of pride in those students who won't be attending college. We must teach respect for manual labor. Many parts of a green society will be decidedly low-tech, and manual skills will be valued.
Roanoke has also touted tourism as its savior. The mountains around us have served as a refuge for urbanites from the heat and problems of the cities. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a primary link to a variety of natural attractions.
We have begun to develop projects, like Explore, that capitalize on our natural assets. We want to bring tourists to the valley but we oppose constructing ill-planned highways which would destroy the natural features that visitors come to see.
Part of our research center should concentrate on the construction of ``green'' highways. A series of greenways and linear parks should be established throughout the valley, so residents and visitors can be surrounded by convenient, well-maintained green spaces full of sports and recreation opportunities
Roanoke can become a haven for urban refugees. It is too late for most other cities to become ``green.'' They are simply too urbanized and covered with too much asphalt. As traditional American cities continue to deteriorate, we will create a new kind of city.
Fiber-optic networks, information superhighways and computers will mean that many of us will no longer have to live close to an office. We can be linked to it electronically. Therefore, we will be able to choose to live in a place that suits our lifestyle.
Many high-paid executives, researchers and writers may choose to live in a quiet scenic area like Roanoke, with low crime, good schools, entertainment, arts, and excellent electronic connections. Our economic-development plan for a green Roanoke must ensure that we provide all those amenities.
In order to provide clean, attractive and affordable housing for our new and present residents, we must restore our crumbling housing stock and require that all new buildings are well-designed to fit the existing character of our city and are environmentally sound.
The green movement can help with these efforts, too. New and older buildings can be retrofitted with new, safer building products designed and manufactured by our local ``green'' industries. Government research and housing grants to restore and renovate housing could become available as Roanoke develops into a laboratory for environment-friendly building.
The promise of Roanoke's green future is not without peril. Some of the proposals will cost money, and the development of these industries will take time.
But no matter the costs, we must have a vision. For too long we have drifted without specific long-term goals. Now we are coming to learn that we may have unwittingly prepared ourselves for an exciting new future. We must invite others to share our dreams. We must ask them to come to Roanoke: ``We've saved it for you.''
Bob Fetzer and Earle Shumate, both of Roanoke, are general contractors and homebuilders.
by CNB